Neil’s subject is the human form and he works from clay which is then fired to at least 2100 degrees.  His work ‘celebrates the human body’s infinite variety of curves and volumes, unexpected transitions, intriguing shadows, and dramatic tensions.’

Woodturner Lynne Yamaguchi says that the “Beyond Containment” theme applies to her work on several levels. “Though the vessels that I make are literally containers, I approach them as sculptural objects, beyond their traditional function. I also treat them as metaphors, primarily for aspects of the human condition. And much of my new work directly explores the idea of refusing to be contained; for example, a new series, titled ‘Becoming,’ includes works that play with shedding or breaking out of or emerging from an old form to embody a new one.”

Yamaguchi exhibits locally and nationally. She most recently exhibited her elegant wooden vessels at the Shemer Art Center in Phoenix. You can see more of her work at www.lynneyamaguchi.com.

C. J. Shane is best known for her oil paintings and monotypes. Her color- and texture-intense abstracted landscapes are deeply informed by the Sonoran desert landscape. To Shane, “Beyond Containment” refers to her experience of the natural world. “My hope is that the viewer of my art will be reminded of the serenity and depth to be found in the natural world.” Shane exhibits locally and nationally. Her work can be seen at www.cjshane.com.

“Beyond Containment” will be up through March 13, 2012. Gallery hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center is closed on Saturdays. The Tucson Jewish Community Center is located at 3800 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ.

The Tucson JCC Fine Art Gallery presents C J Shane and Lynne Yamaguchi, "Beyond Containment." Shown here are "Starry Night on the Prairie" by C. J. Shane and "Pirouette" by Lynne Yamaguchi.

Old Pueblo, 24 x 30''

Shane will talk about her intricate painting process Saturday, November 4, 11 a.m. to noon at Flux Gallery.  Hope to  see you there.

Mary will have her gorgeous 'Shibori Chic' scarves for sale at the Open Studio Tour.

Flux artists C. J. Shane, Dragana Skrepnik, Lynne Yamaguchi, and Peter Eisner will be receiving visitors at their studios that same weekend. Please consult the Open Studio Tour information at the Tucson Pima Arts Council web site for their individual locations.

"Beginning of Time" by Lee Roy Beach

The artists of Flux Gallery will be presenting a series of talks about the artmaking process. First up is Lee Roy Beach, who will be talking on Saturday, October 15, from 2 to 3 p.m., about “Painting as Problem Solving: Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat.”

Lee says, “I always begin a painting with a fairly firm idea about how the final work should look—but it seldom turns out that way. In fact, when it goes as planned, the painting usually isn’t very good. For years, this caused me great distress, but I finally learned to accept that I’ve not really begun a painting until I reach an impasse. It is the effort to resolve the impasse, to solve the problem and save the failing painting, that breathes life into it. My talk will examine how this happens and what I think it says about the creative process.”

We hope you will join us this Saturday for Lee’s talk. No need to register or reserve a spot; just come. Next up will be C.J. Shane, who will speak on “Monotype Mystery” on Saturday, November 5, from 11 a.m. to noon. Mary Vaneecke will speak Saturday, December 3, from 2 to 3 p.m. on “Confessions of a Subversive Stitcher.”